"I know," said Derech.
"You know how much chance we have of evading Wales, without the protection of a caravan."
"You tell me how I can go quietly home, and I'll do it."
"You can wait for your barge and go back to Valkis."
"I couldn't do that," Derech said seriously. "My men would laugh at me. I suggest we stop wasting time. Here in the desert, time is water."
"Speaking of water," Arrin said, "how about when we get there? And how about getting back?"
Derech said, "Dr. Carey has heard that there is a splendid well at Sinharat."
"He's heard," said Arrin, "but he doesn't know. Same as the records." She gave Carey a look, only half scornful.
Carey smiled briefly. "The well I have on pretty good authority. It's in the coral deep under the city, so it can be used without actually breaking the tabu. The Shunni don't go near it unless they're desperate, but I talked to a man who had."
He led them down off the ridge and away from Barrakesh. And Derech cast an uneasy glance at the sky.